Organisational context and behavioural complexity affecting ambidextrous behaviours among SMEs

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of exploitative and explorative behaviours and to give valuable insight into the role of ambidextrous behaviours in developing creativity and innovativeness among owner-managers in SMEs. A review of existing literature was carried out and drawing upon owner-managers, a survey using structured questionnaires was carried out with a total of 183 useful responses received. The proposed model was analysed using SmartPLS v2.3.7. The empirical result suggests that behavioural complexity and organisational flexibility encourages exploitative and explorative behaviours, while ambidextrous behaviours encourage creativity and innovativeness. Rigidity, on the other hand, hinders the cultivation of ambidextrous behaviours